Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality - Vocational Academy
Sports and Public Services
Opportunities in the North West
Despite the recession, the sports and leisure industry is a growth industry and in the North West the career opportunities are particularly good. Three local authorities mean there are plenty of openings within leisure services. There is also voluntary coaching and the increasingly popular area of health and wellness, which has seen the creation of health ‘villages’ like the £20m project at Moor Park. In public services, a rising number of learners are being drawn towards a career in the police force. As a result, we have adapted our courses to deliver the skills needed in this area.
What Course Should You Do
Entry Level/Level 1
If you have not completed a GCSE programme
Level 1
If you have completed a GCSE programme
- Sport and Recreation
- Sport and Leisure
- Uniformed Public Services
Level 2
If you have 4 GCSEs at grade D or above or a merit grade at First Certificate or Introductory Diploma
- Exercise and Fitness
- Uniformed Public Services
Level 3
If you have 5 passes at GCSE grade C or above (including English Language and/or Maths) or a merit grade at First Diploma (eg BTEC)
- Development, Coaching and Fitness
- Uniformed Public Services
Career Low-Down
| Job title | What they do | How much they earn | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports Coach | Work with people taking part in sport and exercise, helping them to develop their skills and reach their potential. | From £10,000 for newly-qualified, full-time coaches to £30,000 or more a year for senior coaches. | A UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) qualification. Studying for a degree will widen the opportunities open to you. |
| Sports Development Officer | Make sure that people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to take part in sport, develop their skills, and lead a healthy lifestyle. | From around £16,700 to £40,000 a year. | Usually a sports-related degree. |
| Sports Physiotherapist | Diagnose and treat sports injuries, help individuals to get better and advise them on how to avoid similar injuries in the future. | From around £20,710 to £39,270 a year in the public sector. | A Physiotherapy degree. |
| Police Officer | Work to prevent, reduce and investigate crime. Their role is to uphold the law, maintain order and make communities safer. | From around £22,100 for student officers, rising to £60,000 or more a year for the highest-ranking officers. | A Uniformed Public Services qualification is an excellent grounding. You must also pass Police Assessment Centre tests. |
| Firefighter | Tackle a wide range of emergency situations. Also undertake fire prevention activity. | From around £21,000 a year for whole-time firefighters to £40,000 for station managers. | A Uniformed Public Services qualification is an excellent grounding. You must also pass psychological and physical tests plus a medical. |
Meet the Learner
Name: Tom Dicketts Age: 17 Course: National Diploma Public Services Level 3
Why College?
I started doing A Levels as I wanted to be a doctor but I’m not exam orientated. Then I came back to do Public Services as I fancied the armed forces but needed to improve my fitness.
What’s good?
The tutors are really helpful. It’s a social, friendly environment and the Loop is good too.
What’s best?
Taking part in the World Skills competition was a great experience. I also enjoy the day trips doing things like mountain biking and rock climbing.
What’s next?
I want to be an RAF fighter pilot when I finish my course.
Travel Tourism and Leisure
Opportunities in the North West
As Europe’s most visited tourist resort, Blackpool offers plenty of career opportunities in the areas of tourism and leisure. This is still the case in spite of the economic downturn, which has resulted in more people holidaying closer to home. With Blackpool Football Club’s recent rise to the Premiership, the town’s popularity will rise even further. Hotels and leisure venues therefore will be looking for skilled and qualified individuals to deliver the high standards that will be expected.
What Course Should You Do
Entry Level/Level 1
If you have not completed a GCSE programme
Level 1
If you have completed a GCSE programme
- Travel and Tourism (Vocational and academic pathways)
Level 2
If you have 4 GCSEs at grade D or above or a merit grade at First Certificate or Introductory Diploma
- Travel and Tourism (Vocational and academic pathways)
Level 3
If you have 5 passes at GCSE grade C or above (including English Language and/or Maths) or a merit grade at First Diploma (eg BTEC)
- Travel and Tourism (Vocational and academic pathways)
Career Low-Down
| Career area | What they do | How much they earn | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Agent | Promote and sell holidays and other travel services, such as airline tickets, car hire or foreign currency. | From around £10,500 to £30,000 or more a year at senior levels. | A Level 3 qualification will put you at an advantage when applying for posts. |
| Holiday Representative | Look after guests at resorts, usually abroad, ensuring guests' holidays are enjoyable and safe. | Around £550 to £650 a month, rising to £18,000 a year for managers and representatives in charge. | A relevant Level 3 qualification, together with a foreign language and customer service experience will help. |
| Tour Manager | Accompany groups of tourists on holidays. Make sure all the arrangements run smoothly and provide sightseeing information. | From around £16,000 to £28,000 a year. | A Level 3 qualification will put you at an advantage when applying for posts. |
| Entertainment Manager | Plan and organise events and activities at hotels, clubs, leisure centres, on cruise ships and for local councils or venues. | From £15,000 to more than £35,000 a year. | A Level 3 qualification will put you at an advantage when applying for posts. |
| Customer Service Assistant/Manager | Act as a link between customers and other departments, and make sure customers have a positive experience. | £10,000 to £15,000 a year for assistants and £16,000 to £40,000 a year for managers. | Some organisations run customer services manager training schemes. A Level 3 qualification or higher is usually required. |
Meet the Learner
Name: Jenny Harvey
Age: 23
High school: Baines
Course: AVCE Travel and Tourism then BA (Hons) Resort Tourism Management
Why College?
I originally wanted to be an air hostess so I wanted to study a tourism related subject.
What’s good?
The tutors push you and really bring out the best in people. I also made lots of good friends.
What’s best?
My placement was really enjoyable and a massive stepping stone as it led to a full-time job for me.
What now?
I’m an Events Executive at Visit Blackpool and I’ve worked on the Royal Variety Performance and Illuminations Switch On amongst other exciting events.
To find out more about Vocational study at Blackpool and The Fylde College, please visit our
Vocational Academy Section
